Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — God
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Birgi provides extra mana and potential card draw, enhancing spellcasting strategies and momentum.
  2. She demands careful hand management and a solid mana base, given her specific mana costs.
  3. Birgi’s diverse usability makes her a formidable card to include in MTG collections for varied decks.

Text of card

Whenever you cast a spell, add . Until end of turn, you don't lose this mana as steps and phases end. Creatures you control can boast twice during each of your turns rather than once.

"This is a tale to make all Kaldheim tremble..."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Birgi, God of Storytelling offers a boon for players looking to maintain a solid hand throughout the game. As each time you cast a spell, her ability can toss another layer of story into your saga, essentially providing you with an additional card or spell to utilize. This can be particularly game-changing in decks that cast numerous spells in a single turn.

Resource Acceleration: Birgi stands out as a powerhouse, turning the basic action of casting spells into a resource-generating event. Each spell not only furthers your game plan but also provides you with an extra red mana, propelling you ahead in resources and letting you cast even more spells or save up for a game-winning play.

Instant Speed: While Birgi herself may not operate at instant speed, her design synergizes with cards that do. This enables you to maximize your turns by casting instants with the extra mana she creates, leaving no resource wasted. Plus, her flexibility extends to helping you respond to opponents’ actions during their turn with additional firepower.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Birgi, God of Storytelling enables players to churn through their decks by casting multiple spells in a turn, she does not provide card advantage on her own. Players must be wary not to deplete their hands and end up discarding valuable resources to maintain momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Birgi’s casting cost demands two red mana, committing players predominantly to red or necessitating a mana base that can reliably produce double red mana early in the game. This can present challenges when building multicolored decks that require a balanced mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, which includes two specific red mana, Birgi enters the battlefield at a point where players are looking to establish a board presence or hold up answers to opponents. Other cards at this cost provide immediate impact or stronger board presence, making her a potentially slower option in competitive formats.


Reasons to Include Birgi, God of Storytelling in Your Collection

Versatility: Birgi sits comfortably in various decks, particularly those capitalizing on spell slinging or aggressive strategies. With her ability to provide extra mana, she opens the door for more plays each turn and works well with both creature-heavy and spell-focused builds.

Combo Potential: This deity shines in combos, acting as an engine that can fuel an entire turn with its mana-generating properties. Whenever you cast a spell, the extra mana can be the key to chaining together game-winning sequences or simply gaining the upper hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards quick development and efficient utilization of resources, Birgi’s ability to ramp up your capabilities can be a defining factor. Her impact in spell-based decks means she’s often a must-answer threat, capable of tilting the momentum in your favor against a variety of opposing strategies.


How to beat

Birgi, God of Storytelling is a compelling card in the MTG universe, known for its duality and the ability to ramp up mana production. When it comes to mana generation and card advantage, Birgi stands tall. However, besting this deity involves strategic plays. Control your opponent’s board before Birgi can generate overwhelming value. Efficient removal spells or counterspells are key; by keeping mana open, you can respond to Birgi as soon as she enters the battlefield, minimizing the impact on the game’s flow.

Disrupting Birgi’s combo potential can be an effective tactic as well. This could mean going after the pieces that interact with Birgi, presenting a more manageable board state to deal with. Sweepers also work wonders against decks utilizing such cards, cleaning out multiple threats at once. Prioritize keeping tabs on your opponent’s plays, and take action swiftly to prevent them from exploiting Birgi’s powerful effects.

In essence, defeating Birgi involves foresight and timely intervention. Understanding her role within your opponent’s strategy allows you to respond aptly, mitigating Birgi’s game-changing abilities and maintaining your edge throughout the match.


Cards like Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty

Birgi, God of Storytelling is an intriguing card in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. When stacked up against similar cards, we can draw comparisons to Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion. Both are committed to generating extra mana, but where Birgi offers a more passive approach with mana production upon casting spells, Neheb requires direct combat and discarding cards to boost your mana pool.

Another card worthy of comparison is Runaway Steam-Kin, which accumulates energy counters and can then be removed for red mana. While Steam-Kin’s potential explosive mana generation is confined to red spells, Birgi’s ability encompasses all colored spells, showcasing her flexibility. Additionally, the esteemed Storm-Kiln Artist, which generates a treasure whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, shares Birgi’s mana-generating kingdom but with a narrower focus. Unlike Storm-Kiln’s limited scope to two spell types, Birgi’s design creatively rewards any spell casting.

Evaluating these kinships, Birgi, God of Storytelling’s dual ability to bolster mana as well as offering an alternate playing mode with Harnfel, Horn of Bounty, gives this card a distinct edge in versatility and strategic depth compared to its counterparts.

Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion - MTG Card versions
Runaway Steam-Kin - MTG Card versions
Storm-Kiln Artist - MTG Card versions
Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion - Resale Promos (PRES)
Runaway Steam-Kin - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Storm-Kiln Artist - Strixhaven: School of Mages (STX)

Cards similar to Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
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Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
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Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Kaldheim, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 883202015modal_dfcblackRichard Luong
22021-02-05KaldheimKHM 1232015modal_dfcblackEric Deschamps
32021-02-05Kaldheim PromosPKHM 123s2015modal_dfcblackEric Deschamps
42021-02-05Kaldheim Art SeriesAKHM 312015art_seriesborderlessEric Deschamps
52021-02-05KaldheimKHM 3112015modal_dfcblackRichard Luong

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2021-02-05 A modal double-faced card can’t be transformed or be put onto the battlefield transformed. Ignore any instruction to transform a modal double-faced card or to put one onto the battlefield transformed.
2021-02-05 Any cards exiled with Harnfel that you don’t play remain exiled.
2021-02-05 Birgi’s first ability uses the stack and can be responded to. It isn’t a mana ability.
2021-02-05 If an effect allows you to play a land or cast a spell from among a group of cards, you may play or cast a modal double-faced card with any face that fits the criteria of that effect.
2021-02-05 If an effect allows you to play a specific modal double-faced card, you may cast it as a spell or play it as a land, as determined by which face you choose to play. If an effect allows you to cast (rather than “play”) a specific modal double-faced card, you can’t play it as a land.
2021-02-05 If an effect instructs a player to choose a card name, the name of either face may be chosen. If that effect or a linked ability refers to a spell with the chosen name being cast and/or a land with the chosen name being played, it considers only the chosen name, not the other face’s name.
2021-02-05 If an effect puts a double-faced card onto the battlefield, it enters with its front face up. If that front face can’t be put onto the battlefield, it doesn’t enter the battlefield.
2021-02-05 In the Commander variant, a double-faced card’s color identity is determined by the mana costs and mana symbols in the rules text of both faces combined. If either face has a color indicator or basic land type, those are also considered.
2021-02-05 Playing the cards exiled with Harnfel follows the normal rules for playing those cards. You must pay their costs, if any, and you must follow all applicable timing rules. For example, if one of the cards is a creature card, you can cast that card by paying its mana cost only during your main phase while the stack is empty.
2021-02-05 The card you discard to activate the ability isn’t part of “those cards” and can’t be played, even if it somehow ends up in exile.
2021-02-05 The cards exiled by Harnfel’s activated ability are exiled face up.
2021-02-05 The mana value of a modal double-faced card is based on the characteristics of the face that’s being considered. On the stack and battlefield, consider whichever face is up. In all other zones, consider only the front face. This is different than how the mana value of a transforming double-faced card is determined.
2021-02-05 There is a single triangle icon in the top left corner of the front face. There is a double triangle icon in the top left corner of the back face.
2021-02-05 To determine whether it is legal to play a modal double-faced card, consider only the characteristics of the face you’re playing and ignore the other face’s characteristics.
2021-02-05 Unless an effect allows you to play additional lands that turn, you can play land cards exiled with Harnfel only if you haven’t played a land yet that turn. In most cases, if you exile two land cards with Harnfel, you won’t be able to play both.
2021-02-05 You may play those cards that turn even if Harnfel leaves the battlefield or another player gains control of it.
2021-02-05 You must still attack with a creature you control to activate its boast ability.

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